Fold and roll portable yoga mat

ABSTRACT

A yoga mat comprising at least one folding depression which enables folding and rolling of a yoga mat so that the width of the mat is typically less than the shoulder width of the user of the yoga mat. The at least one folding depression is typically on the upper, user-contacting surface of the yoga mat. In instances where the overall thickness of the yoga mat is greater than about 0.35 inches, it is advisable to use a location matching folding depression on each side of the yoga mat. The folding depression may be deeper on the user-contacting surface than on the floor contacting surface of the yoga mat. In an alternative embodiment, the upper surface of the yoga mat may be a solid layer, with at least two underlying spaced lower sections to permit folding inward upon the solid layer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a yoga mat which can be reduced inexterior surface area to promote easy handling, carrying, and storage.

Description of the Background Art

This section describes background subject matter related to thedisclosed embodiments of the present invention. There is no intention,either express or implied, that the background art discussed in thissection legally constitutes prior art.

Yoga has become increasingly popular in the United States over the pastdecade. Classes and practice groups outside the home are becoming moreavailable and offer advantageous opportunities for enthusiasts. As aresult, there is a need for a convenient manner for transport of theyoga mat.

There are a number of U.S. patents which relate to yoga mats, and aportion of these are briefly discussed below to illustrate conceptswhich, while different from the present invention, illustrate functionalcapabilities which are of interest to a yoga mat user. However, none ofthese patents relate to a yoga mat which has a structural configurationcomparable with the present inventive yoga mat.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,381 to Woods et al., issued Dec. 17, 2013, relatesto a yoga or exercise mat shape that allows instructors and students tosee each other in all yoga poses without re-positioning mats. The matshape also ensures that the participants maintain all body parts on themat during all poses. The mat is further provided as a one-piececonfiguration to allow an easy and hassle-free set up and useexperience. In particular, the mat is a one-piece integral yoga mat,comprising (a) an elongate yoga mat body portion; (b) first and secondcross arm portions extending from the elongate yoga mat body portion andintegrally formed with the elongate yoga mat body portion such that thecross arms are not removable therefrom, wherein the cross arms extendfrom the yoga mat body portion in such a way as to define a head portionand a lower portion, . . . further comprising a score line formed whereeach cross arm extends from the elongate yoga mat body portion, whereineach score line defines a line where the thickness of the yoga mat isdecreased in order to ease inward folding of the first and second crossarm portions.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,765,253 to Smaldone et al., issued Jul. 1, 2014,describes an exercise mat which includes a knit spacer fabric having afirst ground fabric spaced apart from a second ground fabric in anuncompressed state. The exercise mat can be can be configured to berolled up and compressed for storage and to expand into a planar spacedapart arrangement between the first and second ground fabrics for use.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,769,742 to Thornton et al., issued Jul. 8, 2014,discloses a device that is comprised of a flexible material and a rollmechanism associated with the flexible material. A bistable resilientmember maintains the flexible material flat due to a tension forcewithin the body of the bistable resilient member in a first stablestate, and maintains the flexible material to a rolled-up, bundledclosed position after the tension force within the body of the bistableresilient member is fully released (the second stable state). Further,the bistable resilient member compels the flexible material to aself-roll-up motion (during the transition state) while a tension forcewithin the body of the bistable resilient member is released.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,822,012 to Franks et al., issued Sep. 2, 2041, disclosesa mat including a compressible first layer, openings formed through oneor more first portions and columns disposed in/proximate to theopenings. One or more second portions, or at least one column, or bothmay be configured to be depressed to provide support and traction. Thedisclosure further provides a towel including an absorption layer and acompressible region of flexible fiber disposed on one or more firstportions of a top surface of the absorption layer.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,966,681 to Burch, issued Mar. 3, 2015, describes a matwhich comprises an origin that is positioned along one of a first axisand a second axis; a first indicia that is positioned symmetricallyrelative to the origin; and a second indicia that is positionedsymmetrically relative to only one of the axes. The first indicia caninclude a plurality of longitudinal lines that are substantiallyparallel to one another. The plurality of longitudinal lines can include(I) a longitudinal centerline, (ii) a pair of second longitudinal linesthat are equally spaced on either side of the longitudinal centerline,(iii) a pair of second longitudinal lines that are equally spaced oneither side of the longitudinal centerline, and (iv) a pair of thirdlongitudinal lines that are equally spaced on either side of thelongitudinal centerline.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,004,967 to Yeh, issued Apr. 14, 2015, relates to askid-proof sports mat. The sports mat includes a foam sheet, an adhesivebonding film, a patterned layer, and a skid proof layer. The foam sheetis made of polyethylene foam. The adhesive bonding film applied to a topsurface of the foam sheet. The patterned layer has a plastic film and apattern printed in a bottom surface of the plastic film, The plasticfilm together with the pattern is joined on top of the adhesive bondingfilm. The skid proof layer, made of thermal plastic rubber, is coatedover a top surface of the plastic film. Additionally, the skid prooflayer together with the patterned layer, the adhesive bonding film andthe foam sheet defines a plurality of indentations and protrusions overa top surface of the skid proof layer so as to strengthen connectionthereby.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,028,383, issued May 12, 2015 relates to corablecontainers and accessories. A core provides a form for rolling anaccessory around it. The accessory wrapped around the core may include amat. The core includes a bottle and a container, utilizing what wouldotherwise be a void at the center of a rolled up mat for storage. Thebottle and container may have twist-off lids which form resealableclosures. The bottle and container may also couple with one another viaopposing reverse threads at the bottom of each of the bottle andcontainer. The twist-off lids may also include connection points for acarry-strap, the carry-strap including a buckle for adjusting the lengthof the carry-strap to make it a yoga stretching-strap. The mat includeselastic bands through grommets at an end of the mat. The bands aretensioned to secure the core when it is rolled inside the mat via thebands being wrapped around the rolled-up mat and core.

The references discussed above may be a small portion of the referenceswhich exist in the art. Applicant is providing these references becausethe technology of the kind described below could be used in combinationwith other technology to implement features of yoga mats which canbenefit from applicant's invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a yoga mat which comprises at least one foldingdepression, which is generally located within the upper portion of theyoga mat, which extends downward from the surface on which the user ofthe yoga mat stands during practice. The depth of the depression dependsupon the thickness of the yoga mat. When the yoga mat is a thicker mat,where the overall thickness ranges from about 0.25 inch to about 0.35inch, for example and not by way of limitation, it may be desirable toplace an additional folding depression in the lower, floor-contactingsurface of the yoga mat which is aligned with the folding depressionlocated within the upper portion of the yoga mat.

Typically folding depression(s) are not placed solely on the lower,floor-contacting surface area, because the upper surface of the yoga matneeds to be kept clean, and folding the upper surface together keepsthat surface clean while the mat is handled. When the mat issufficiently thick, depressions may be placed on the lower,floor-contacting surface area of the mat at a location which directlyopposes the depressions on the upper surface of the mat. The lowerdepressions are used to reduce the stress created on the lower surfaceof the mat when the upper surface of the mat is folded together. The atleast one depression in the upper surface of the mat enables the easyand flat folding of the mat, in a manner such that the upper surfaceportion of the mat, which contacts a user's body during use of the mat,is not in contact with any other mat surface (than the upper surfaceportion of the mat) when the folded yoga mat is rolled up.

The folding depressions of the yoga mat are designed to permit foldingof the mat in a manner which provides a smaller dimension across thewidth of the folded mat, so that when the mat is rolled up, the mat canbe carried on the user's back more easily, without bumping. The foldedmat can be rolled up and carried more easily because the edges of thefolded mat are designed not extend past the shoulder width of most usersof the mat. This reduces problems when the mat is carried on publictransportation, in elevators, into cafes/restaurants, on campingexpeditions, and within automobiles having limited trunk space.

The depressions which permit easier folding of the mat are formed usingtechniques which reduce the probability that, upon repeated folding ofthe mat, the upper surface of the mat and/or the interior material ofthe mat which lies beneath the upper surface, will crack or deteriorateover time. For example, depending on the material used to form the mat,the mat may be extruded with the depressions in place. In analternative, heat and pressure may be applied to the upper surface of amat to permanently deform the upper surface into the desireddepressions. The purpose is not to cut or slice the mat surface, as thiscreates stress points within the mat which may fracture upon use of themat and aging of the mat materials.

The folded mat rolls up evenly due to the folding depression design, andfits easily into a washing machine used to clean the mat. The folded matmay be strapped to the back of the user; may be carried in a carry bagwith strap, purse, motorcycle saddle bags, a scooter top box, bicyclebasket or rack; and may be easily stored in a gym locker, and in otherconfined spaces, for example and not by way of limitation.

The yoga mat lower surface which contacts a floor, for example,typically comprises a plastic, preferably elastomeric material. Thismaterial may have been chemically treated, texturized, or coated toprovide a frictional contact with the flooring surface. By contrast, theupper contact surface is frequently formed from a fibrous material, suchas a woven fabric, which is capable of resisting soiling, butsimultaneously provides a good feeling on the feet of the user of themat, while enabling traction by the user upon the upper surface of themat.

In one preferred embodiment, the main body section of the yoga matt isconsistent in composition throughout, down to a direct frictionalcontact with the floor, or down to a frictional coating which is incontact with the floor. The folding depressions formed into the upperportion of the main body section of the mat, may be formed into the mat,followed by a texturizing of the upper surface of the mat, or followedby application of the fibrous or woven layer to produce a desiredfeeling on the surface of the mat. In a second preferred embodiment, thedepressions may be formed into the upper portion of the main bodysection of the mat after a fibrous or woven layer is applied, so thatboth the surface layer and the underlying main body are deformedsimultaneously.

In some embodiments, where the mat is particularly thick, it may beadvisable to have a folding depression both on the top surface anddirectly beneath on the bottom surface of the mat. This helps to reducestress on both the top surface and the bottom surface of the yoga mat.The yoga mat then includes an upper contact surface with a foldingdepression, supported by a main body portion which typically alsocontains a folding depression directly beneath the upper contactsurface, and a frictional floor-contacting layer on the bottom includesa folding depression directly in line with the folding depressionpattern on the top surface of the mat.

Typical yoga mat overall thicknesses range from about 0.125 inches toabout 0.35 inches, by way of example, and not by way of limitation. Whendesired for use on a hard surface, the mat overall thickness may exceedthe 0.35 inch dimension, in which case, it is helpful if there is afolding depression both on the top and the bottom of the mat to reducestress within the mat. The depth of an individual folding depressiondepends mainly on the overall thickness of the mat, but may also beinfluenced by the materials of construction of the mat (which affectease of folding). Typical folding depression depth for a singledepression on the upper surface of the yoga mat ranges from about 20% toabout 50% of the overall thickness of the mat, for example and not byway of limitation.

As discussed above, for yoga mats which are thicker, in excess of about0.35 inch, it is helpful to use a folding depression on each surface ofthe yoga mat. The folding depression on the lower surface of the yogamat may be less deep than the folding depression on the upper surface ofthe yoga mat, with the idea of reducing stress at the lower surface inthe folded mat, while the folding depression on the upper surfaceprovides for flat folding of the mat. This is particularly helpful whenthe lower portion of the mat is a high density foam material whichprovides a padding effect to reduce the transfer of forces from thefloor into the body of the user of the mat. The thick-layer high densityfoam materials are more stress sensitive upon stretching than the thinlayer, typically low density upper mat surface materials, and thereforethe thick-layer main body of the yoga mat benefits from at least a smalldepth folding depression (about 10% or less of the overall thickness) toreduce stress.

Since many polymeric materials are notch sensitive, it is recommendedthat the folding depression be a gradually sloping depression formedusing heat and pressure when possible, and that use of a knife edgedslit to form a depression should be avoided, to increase the lifetime ofthe yoga mat.

The shape of the depression is a gradual slope toward the bottom of thedepression. One preferred embodiment is a slope such that the depressionforms a circle when the mat is folded. A circle is a very strong shapeand this helps prevent crushing of the mat material over time, extendingthe useful lifetime of the mat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention are attained is clear and can be understood in detail, withreference to the particular description provided above, and withreference to the detailed description of exemplary embodiments,applicants have provided illustrating drawings. It is to be appreciatedthat the drawing is provided only to assist in understanding of theinvention, and that certain well known materials and processes are notillustrated herein in order not to obscure the inventive nature of thesubject matter of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows a view of an opened yoga mat 100. The mat has a foldingdepression 104 running lengthwise down the center of the yoga mat 100.The upper surfaces 102 and 103 of yoga mat 100 are the contact surfaceswith the user of yoga mat 100. The bottom surfaces 105 and 106 of yogamat 100 are in contact with a floor or other surface which is used tosupport yoga mat 100.

FIG. 2 shows a view 110 of the yoga mat 100 when the yoga mat 100 isfolded around folding depression 104, so that the upper surfaces 102 and103 (not shown) are in the center of folded mat 100, and the bottomsurfaces 105 and 106 are exposed.

FIG. 3 shows a view 120 of the yoga mat shown in view 110 of FIG. 2after the mat has been rolled up. The bottom surfaces 105 and 106 of theyoga mat 100 which are in contact with a floor (not shown) when the yogamat 100 is used, form the exposed surface on each side of the rolledyoga mat 120, while the upper surfaces 102 and 103 of yoga mat 100 whichcome in contact with the user of the yoga mat 100 are on the interior ofthe folded, rolled yoga mat 100 and are protected from contaminationduring handling and storage of the rolled yoga mat 100.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a first example of a folding depression 134 which ispresent in an unfolded mat, as illustrated in FIG. 4, and in a foldedmat as illustrated in FIG. 5. The shape of depression 134 is designed toproduce a round folded shape interior to the yoga mat, when the yoga matis folded as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 4 shows the unfolded yoga mat 130 where the surface of the yoga matwhich contacts a floor surface (not shown) is numbered 136 on the leftside (which remains on the lower exterior of the yoga mat after folding)and is numbered 135 on the right side (which moves to the upper exteriorsurface of the yoga mat after folding). The surface 133, which is incontact with the user of the mat, becomes the interior surfaces afterfolding of yoga mat 130.

FIG. 5 shows the folded yoga mat 140 where areas 135 and 136 are now onthe exterior of folded yoga mat 140, and surface 133 is on the interiorof folded yoga mat 140. The shape of the depression may be differentfrom that shown in FIG. 4, and the shape of the depression afterfolding, as shown in FIG. 5, may not be a circle, but may be an oval(not shown). However, a circle is known in the mechanical arts to be astrong shape, resisting compression, and a shape which transfers a loadalong the circle inner surface evenly.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a second example, illustrating dual foldingdepressions, areas 152 and 154 of a kind which may be used when the yogamat 150 is particularly thick and it is desired to reduce the stress onthe exterior surface of the folded yoga mat.

FIG. 6 shows the unfolded yoga mat, where the surfaces 155 and 156 ofthe yoga mat 150 contact the floor (not shown). Folding depressions 152and 154 are on opposite sides of the yoga mat 150.

FIG. 7 shows the folded yoga map 160, where surface 153 is now interiorof the folded mat 160. Bottom 156 is on the floor (not shown) and theupper exterior is 155. The folding depression 152 is now a circularopening through the folded mat 160. The folding depression 154 is nowalong the exterior edge of the fold, and provides stress relief for theexterior surface areas 155 and 156 which are now the folded exteriorsurface areas.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show an example where there is no folding depression onthe upper surface of a thin mat 170. Instead, a constant smooth surface173 is present across an upper layer 172, which is present across thesurface of the mat.

As shown in FIG. 8, there is a lower portion of the mat which is formedfrom two layers of material 174 and 176, which are separated by a space178 having a width 179, where the width 179 depends upon the thicknessof the two material layers 174 and 176. The width 179 is typically aboutthe same as the thickness of the upper surface layer 172, so that whenthe mat is folded, as shown in FIG. 9, the amount of stress presentwithin the folded upper surface layer 172 will be acceptable. Surface171 shown in FIG. 8 is the surface of the mat 170 which is in contactwith a floor, for example.

FIG. 9 shows the folded mat from FIG. 8, where the lower sections of themat, 174 and 176 are now on the exterior of the folded mat 180. Theinterior surfaces of folded layer 172 are internal to folded mat 180 andprotected from soiling.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show a yoga mat 190 (unfolded) and 200 (folded), wherethe yoga mat 190 is wider, such that two folds are required to reducethe width adequately before rolling the yoga mat 190.

As shown in FIG. 10, two folding depressions 193 and 195 are present onthe upper surface 194 of yoga mat 190. The width dimensions of sections192 and 196 are such that the edges will mate at the center of section194, when sections 192 and 196 are folded.

FIG. 11 shows the folded yoga mat 200, where the folded depressions 193and 195, each form circular spacing. The interior surfaces 192, 194, and196 which are the contact surfaces with the user (not shown) areprotected, and the surfaces 197,198, and 199, which have been in contactwith a floor (not shown) are on the exterior of the folded mat 200. Thefolded mat 200 is now ready to be rolled, and will provide a narrowwidth (typically less than about 16 inches wide) which facilitates easycarrying strapped against the owner's back, or packed into a small baghaving a shoulder strap for carrying, by way of example.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

One embodiment of the invention relates to a yoga mat which comprises atleast one folding depression, which may be located on either side of theyoga mat. However, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 10, and 11, the foldingdepression is generally located on the upper surface of the yoga mat, sothat (as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3) when the side sections 102 and 103 ofa yoga mat 100 are folded in, the upper surface 102 of the mat isprotected from soiling, and the folding depression forms a circle (aparticularly strong shape) 104 at the folded edge. Also, as illustratedin FIGS. 10 and 11, where there is a double folding of a wider mat, usersurfaces 192, 194, and 196 are folded inward to prevent soiling, andfolding depressions 193 and 195 preferably form circles 193 and 195which provide strength along the outside edges of the folded mat 200.

The folding depression is typically a relatively shallow arc shape,which does not bother the user of the yoga mat, and which puts verylittle stress on the inside and outside surfaces of the mat when the matis folded. In most instances a single fold in the mat is adequate tonarrow the width of the matt sufficiently that a rolled up mat will notextend past the shoulders of the user. This permits the user to carrythe folded and rolled mat easily strapped to his/her back, withoutbumping objects while carrying the mat. If the mat is particularly wide,it may be necessary to make two folds in the mat before rolling, asillustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, where folding depressions 193 and 195are used to assist folding of exterior sections 192 and 196 towardcenter section 194, forming a folded structure of the kind shown in FIG.11.

When the yoga mat is a thicker mat, having a thickness greater thanabout 0.25 inches, for example and not by way of limitation, it may bedesirable to place an additional folding depression in the lower,floor-contacting surface of the yoga mat. Typically the depressions onthe upper surface and lower surface of the mat are aligned with eachother. An example of this is illustrated in FIG. 6 where the yoga mat150 comprises two folding depressions 152 and 154. FIG. 7 shows thefolded mat 160, where there is an internal circle formed at the pointwhere the upper and lower folding depressions meet; in addition, thereis an external, stress relieving area 154 on the exterior fold area ofthe yoga mat 160. This relief on the exterior surface increases theservice life of the yoga mat by reducing stress at the outside surfacein the area of the fold.

Typically, for thinner mats, having a thickness of about 0.30 inch orless, the folding depression(s) are placed on the upper, user-contactingsurface of the yoga mat, because this surface is folded to the inside tokeep it clean; and, since the stretched distance is smaller at theinside surface, the mat will last longer. It is possible to place thefolding depression(s) on the exterior surface, but just not asdesirable. A single folding depression is shown unfolded and folded inFigure sets 1 and 2; 4 and 5; and 6 and 7.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a different embodiment of a kind which is recommendedfor thicker mats. In this embodiment, the lower portion of the mat isformed from more than one section, sections 174 and 176. This matstructure is recommended for thicker mats, as a means of reducing theamount of stress created on the exterior folded surface 172.

As shown in FIG. 8, there is a lower portion of the mat which is formedfrom two layers of material 174 and 176, which are separated by a space178 having a width 179, where the width 179 depends upon the thicknessof the two material layers 174 and 176. Not by way of limitation, thewidth 179 is typically about the same as the thickness of the uppersurface layer 172, so that when the mat is folded, as shown in FIG. 9,the amount of stress present within the folded upper surface layer 172will be acceptable. Surface 171 shown in FIG. 8 is the surface of themat 170 which is in contact with a floor, for example. As shown in FIG.9, after folding of the mat, the lower sections of the mat, 174 and 176are now on the exterior of the folded mat 180. The interior surfaces offolded layer 172 are internal to folded mat 180 and protected fromsoiling.

The folding depressions of the yoga mat, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, 10and 11; or the spacing between bottom sections of the kind shown inFIGS. 8 and 9 are designed to permit folding of the mat in a mannerwhich provides a smaller dimension across the width of the folded mat,so that when the mat is rolled up, the mat can be carried on the user'sback more easily, without bumping.

When the yoga mat is a wider mat of the kind shown in FIGS. 10 and 11,it is recommended to use two folding depressions 193 and 195 so that theoverall width of the folded mat can be reduced substantially, as shownin FIG. 11. This same concept may be used with respect to the designshown in FIGS. 8 and 9, (not illustrated), where there are three lowersections of material, separated by two spacings beneath the uppersurface layer of the mat, and the folded mat would resemble the matshown in FIG. 9 on one edge, but the folded mat would have two foldededges which resemble fold 172. Again, the ability to reduce the width ofa rolled mat reduces the probability of bumping objects when the mat iscarried on the back of a person, and makes it easier to carry thefolded, rolled mat in a carry bag, purse, motorcycle saddle bags,bicycle basket or rack, automobile seating, gym locker, and in otherconfined spaces.

In the mat embodiments where there are folding depressions in a matsurface, or in the embodiment where there are spacings between bottomsections of a mat surface layer, this permits easier folding of the mat,and reduces the probability that, upon repeated folding of the mat, theupper surface of the mat and/or the interior material of the mat whichlies beneath the upper surface, will crack or deteriorate over time.When shaped folding depressions are used, the folding depressions may beeasily formed by applying moderate heat and pressure to a number ofsynthetic, thermoplastic materials.

The yoga mat lower contact surface 105 and 106 in FIG. 1, for example,is typically formed from a plastic or elastic, rubber-like materialwhich has been chemically treated, texturized, or coated to enable thecreation of a frictional contact with a flooring surface. The uppercontact surface 102 and 103 in FIG. 1, for example, is frequently formedfrom a synthetic fibrous material, or may be a woven fabric or sprayedmatrix which is capable of resisting soiling and which enables tractionby the user on the upper contact surface of the mat. It is helpful ifthe upper contact surface is stain resistant, washable, and has a smoothand comfortable feel to the user, while still providing traction whenpressure is applied to the surface. There are a number of syntheticmaterials available which can meet these requirements, and one of skillin the art can find the most advantageous materials by consulting withmaterial suppliers. For purposes of forming the folding depressions,materials which can be thermoformed to produce the folding depressionsare most advantageous. However, extrusion of a mat into a shape so thatthe mat contains folding depressions is adequate as long as the extrudedmaterial on the surface of the mat provides the desired surfaceproperties. Grinding of surfaces to provide the folding depressionsweakens the surface and will reduce the lifetime of the yoga mat, so isless desirable.

When the main body section of the yoga matt has a consistent compositionthroughout, down to a direct frictional contact with the floor, or downto a frictional coating in contact with the floor, the foldingdepressions are typically formed into the upper portion of the main bodysection of the mat, to the depth desired, followed by texturizing of theupper surface of the mat, or followed by application of a fibrous layerof the kind previously described, to produce a desired amount offrictional contact on the upper surface. When the composition of thelower portion of the yoga mat is different from the composition desiredon the upper surface of the mat, the folding depressions are typicallyformed in the within the upper 20% to 50% of the lower section of themat material, preferably (but not by way of limitation) followed byapplication of a layer of upper surface frictional material over thesurface of the depression-containing layer, so that the upper surfaceconforms with the depressions in the lower section of the mat material.

In some embodiments, where the mat is particularly thick, it may beadvisable to have a folding depression both on the top surface and onthe bottom surface of the mat, to reduce stress when the mat is folded.This is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. The yoga mat then includes anupper contact surface 150 and 153 with a folding depression 152, and alower contact surface 156 and 155 with a folding depression 154. Theremay be a separate frictional floor-contacting layer (not shown) whichhas been applied over the lower contact surfaces 155 and 156.

Typical yoga mat overall thicknesses range from about 0.125 inches toabout 0.35 inches, by way of example, and not by way of limitation. Whendesired for use on a hard surface, the mat overall thickness may exceedthe 0.35 inch dimension, in which case, it is particularly helpful ifthere is a folding depression both on the top and the bottom of the matto reduce stress within the mat when the mat is folded. The depth of anindividual folding depression depends mainly on the overall thickness ofthe mat, but may also be influenced by the materials of construction ofthe mat (which affect ease of folding). Typical folding depression depthfor a single depression on the upper surface of the yoga mat ranges fromabout 20% to about 50% of the overall thickness of the mat, for exampleand not by way of limitation.

For yoga mats which are thicker, in excess of about 0.35 inch, it ishelpful to use a folding depression on each surface of the yoga mat, andmay be advantageous to have the folding depression on the lower surfaceof the yoga mat may be less deep than the folding depression on theupper surface of the yoga mat, with the idea of reducing stress at thelower surface in the folded mat, which has to stretch a greater distancewhen the mat is folded. This is particularly helpful when the lowerportion of the mat is a high density foam material which provides apadding effect to reduce the transfer of forces from the floor into thebody of the user of the mat. The thick-layer high density foam materialsare more stress sensitive upon stretching. With this in mind, it isadvantageous to provide at least a low depth folding depression (10% orlower of the high density foam material overall thickness) to reducestress.

As an alternative for yoga mats which are thicker, as described above,FIGS. 8 and 9 show an example where there is no folding depression onthe upper surface of a thin mat 170. Instead, a constant smooth surface173 is present across an upper layer 172, which is present across thesurface of the mat.

As shown in FIG. 8, there is a lower portion of the mat which is formedfrom two layers of material 174 and 176, which are separated by a space178 having a width 179, where the width 179 depends upon the thicknessof the two material layers 174 and 176. The width 179 is typically aboutthe same as the thickness of the upper surface layer 172, so that whenthe mat is folded, as shown in FIG. 9, the amount of stress presentwithin the folded upper surface layer 172 will be acceptable. Surface171 shown in FIG. 8 is the surface of the mat 170 which is in contactwith a floor, for example. FIG. 9 shows the folded mat from FIG. 8,where the lower sections of the mat, 174 and 176 are now on the exteriorof the folded mat 180. The interior surfaces of folded layer 172 areinternal to folded mat 180 and protected from soiling.

The above described exemplary embodiments are not intended to limit thescope of the present invention, as one skilled in the art can, in viewof the present disclosure, expand such embodiments to correspond withthe subject matter of the invention claimed below.

I claim:
 1. A fold-able yoga mat having an upper surface upon which auser of the yoga mat stands and a lower surface which is placed incontact with a floor or other supporting surface when said yoga mat isin use, the invention comprising: a) said yoga mat having at least onepermanent depression upon said upper surface, wherein said depressionassists in folding of said yoga mat, so that said upper surface ispresent on the interior of said folded yoga mat, and said lower surfaceis present on the exterior of said folded yoga mat, wherein saiddepression forms a circle or oval shaped hollow tubular area internal tosaid folded yoga mat, where said hollow tubular area travels in thelongest dimension of said folded yoga mat.
 2. A fold-able yoga mat inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said folded yoga mat width ranges fromabout 10 inches to about 16 inches, whereby said mat may be rolled tofit into a small space.
 3. A fold-able yoga mat having a single uppersurface upon which a user of the yoga mat stands and a lower surfacecomprising at least two sections, wherein a space exists between each ofsaid at least two sections, and wherein the number of spaced sectionspresent enables the folding said yoga mat so that said single uppersurface is internal to said folded yoga mat and said lower surfacesections are external to said folded yoga mat, wherein a fold at eachspace between at least two sections travels in the longest dimension ofsaid folded yoga mat.
 4. A fold-able yoga mat in accordance with claim3, wherein a width of said folded yoga mat, which width is perpendicularto the length of said folded yoga mat, ranges from about 10 inches toabout 16 inches.